Group J: Lee Man edge Eastern Long Lions for perfect AFC Cup start

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group J: Lee Man edge Eastern Long Lions for perfect AFC Cup start

Hong Kong: Debutants Lee Man made a triumphant opening bow on the AFC Cup stage, defeating Hong Kong Premier League rivals Eastern Long Lions 1-0 in their opening Group J match on Wednesday.

A 26th-minute goal from Gil Martins settled the tie, with the Brazilian striker punishing an error from Yapp Hung Fai to hand Chan Hiu Ming’s men a milestone result.

The win takes Lee Man to second place in the group, with Saturday’s clash against leaders Tainan City likely to play a pivotal role in deciding their hopes of making knockout stage at their first attempt.

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Group J: Tainan City defeat Athletic 220 to kick off AFC Cup campaign on high note

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group J: Tainan City defeat Athletic 220 to kick off AFC Cup campaign on high note

Hong Kong: Tainan City of Chinese Taipei cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Athletic 2020 FC of Mongolia in the opening match of Group J of the 2021 AFC Cup on Wednesday.

Both sides went into the game at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground in Hong Kong looking to mark their AFC Cup debuts with a victory, but it was Tainan City who dominated the proceedings from the start with Athletic 220 sitting deep and looking to hit on the counter.

Preview - Group J: Culpi confident of Cerezo Osaka's AFC Champions League chances ahead of Guangzhou showdown

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Group J: Culpi confident of Cerezo Osaka's AFC Champions League chances ahead of Guangzhou showdown

Buriram: A decade on from leading Cerezo Osaka to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, Levir Culpi is confident he can secure a similar result for the Japanese club ahead of the start of their campaign in the latest edition of the continental championship.

The Brazilian coach will lead his team into their first outing in the 2021 edition of the competition on Thursday when Cerezo take on Chinese Super League side Guangzhou FC in Buriram in Group J.

The J-League club have brought a star-studded squad to Thailand for the competition and Culpi believes his side can make a similar impact to their performance in 2011, when Cerezo recorded their best-ever showing with a run to the last eight.

Preview - Group J: Kitchee SC, Port FC primed for AFC Champions League face-off

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Group J: Kitchee SC, Port FC primed for AFC Champions League face-off

Buriram: Kitchee SC head coach Alex Chu Chi-kwong will be banking on the form of his Hong Kong representative players to give his side a boost when they take on Thailand’s Port FC in their opening Group J meeting in the 2021 AFC Champions League in Buriram on Thursday.

Chu led Kitchee to their second successive Hong Kong Premier League title in May but many of his players have not been involved in a competitive fixture since the final game of the campaign, when they defeated Eastern to retain the crown.

Patience was key to Nagoya Grampus' AFC Champions League victory against Johor Darul Ta’zim, says Ficcadenti

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Patience was key to Nagoya Grampus' AFC Champions League victory against Johor Darul Ta’zim, says Ficcadenti

Bangkok: Patience is a virtue and head coach Massimo Ficcadenti believes Japan's Nagoya Grampus were rewarded with a 1-0 victory over Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in Group G of the 2021 AFC Champions League on Tuesday for showing composure.

Nagoya’s Hiroyoki Abe scored the only goal of the game in a tightly contested affair at the Rajamangala Stadium.

The Japanese side are second in the standings behind Korea Republic’s Pohang Steelers, who have a better goal difference following their 2-0 win over Thailand's Ratchaburi FC in the group's other tie on Tuesday.

Kim demands more from Pohang Steelers despite AFC Champions League win against Ratchaburi

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kim demands more from Pohang Steelers despite AFC Champions League win against Ratchaburi

Bangkok: Pohang Steelers head coach Kim Gi-dong has urged his side to be more clinical in front of goal following their 2-0 victory against Thailand’s Ratchaburi FC in Group G of the 2021 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Pohang secured the three points thanks to efforts from Boris Tashchy and Lim Sang-Hyub with the K-League 1 club leading the standings on goal difference after Japan’s Nagoya Grampus opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over , Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia.

Analysis: Pohang Steelers utilise wingers to outflank Ratchaburi in AFC Champions League face-off

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Pohang Steelers utilise wingers to outflank Ratchaburi in AFC Champions League face-off

Bangkok: Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers kicked off the 2021 AFC Champions League (East) on Tuesday with a professional performance in their 2-0 win over Ratchaburi FC of Thailand.

Despite missing one of their key players for the Continental campaign, Pohang saw off Ratchaburi with a pair of goals in each half from Borys Tashchy and Lim Sang-hyub to pick up three points at Rajamangala Stadium.

The-AFC.com dives into some of the key takeaways from the game.